Cheap Things to Do in New York City
New York City's cheapest activities include 230 Fifth (No cover Sun–Thu; $15–$20 Fri–Sat), American Museum of Natural History (Pay what you wish (NYS residents); $28 others), Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park (Free admission), Battery Park City Parks Conservancy (Free), and Bowery Ballroom ($20–$60).
Your kid will try to live here. Plan for 3 hours minimum.
145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213 · Wed-Sun 10am-5pm · Ages 0–12
Five floors, all for kids 0-7. The toddler crowd runs this place.
212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024 · Tue-Sun 10am-5pm · Ages 0–7
450+ exhibits. Free Fridays 2-5pm. The 'why' kids go nuts here.
47-01 111th St, Queens, NY 11368 · Wed-Sun 10am-5pm · Ages 2–14
Free for kids 0-8. The building alone is worth the trip to Sugar Hill.
898 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032 · Thu-Sun 10am-5pm · Ages 0–12
Half toy store, half theme park. Recent installations: Bluey's House, Slime Bar.
110 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011 · Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm · Ages 0–10
Named Best of New York by NY Mag. Free. Summer only -- get there early.
171 East Dr, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY 11225 · Daily 10:30am-6pm (seasonal, Memorial Day-Sep) · Ages 0–12
Four playgrounds in one park. Bring a change of clothes -- they will get soaked.
Atlantic Ave & Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Daily 10am-7pm (seasonal) · Ages 0–12
22-foot rainbow pipefish sculpture. Sprays kick on automatically at 80F.
557 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011 · Daily dawn-dusk (splash pad seasonal) · Ages 0–12
92 branches, all free. Baby Lapsit, Toddler Time, STEM workshops -- just show up.
476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018 · Varies by branch, typically Mon-Sat · Ages 0–5
60+ branches, all free. The Grand Army Plaza building has a kids room worth seeing.
10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238 · Varies by branch, typically Mon-Sat · Ages 0–12
Pyramids, obelisks, water features -- and it's right next to the Met. Free.
85th St & Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10028 · Daily dawn-dusk · Ages 0–12
Free. Walk the elevated park, do the scavenger hunt, hit the playground at the end.
820 Washington St, New York, NY 10014 · Daily 7am-10pm · Ages 0+
Pay-what-you-wish Thursdays 4-6pm. Clay, paint, collage -- kids make real art.
103 Charlton St, New York, NY 10014 · Mon 12-5pm, Wed-Fri 12-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Tue · Ages 0–15
Central Park's biggest playground. Climbing rocks, bridges, water features. Free.
62nd St & 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019 · Daily dawn-dusk · Ages 0+
NYS residents pay what you wish. The dinosaur hall alone is worth the trip.
200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024 · Wed-Sun 10am-5:30pm, closed Mon-Tue · Ages 0+
Free organized sports, games, and fitness in playgrounds across the city. Just show up.
Various playgrounds citywide · Schedule varies by park and season · Ages 0–14
Waterfront playground with Manhattan views. Taco stand. Free.
300 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249 · Daily 6am-1am · Ages 0+
Free kids cooking demos at the farmers market. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat.
E 17th St & Broadway, New York, NY 10003 · Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 8am-6pm (year-round) · Ages 0+
Hidden gem. Bluestone slide built into the hill. Splash pad. Sand pit. Free.
Warren St & River Terrace, New York, NY 10007 · Daily dawn-dusk · Ages 0–12
"The Cage." 20-foot fence. Marbury and Mason played here. Free pickup, first come.
272 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10011 · Dawn to dusk
Most famous streetball courts in the world. Free. Year-round pickup.
280 W 155th Street, New York, NY 10039 · 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
26 clay courts in Central Park. $7/hr single-play permit. April-November.
1 West 96th Street & Central Park West, New York, NY 10025 · Seasonal, April - November, dawn to dusk
$150/year gets you pool, basketball, fitness rooms. Free if you're under 24.
430 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001 · Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sun 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Olympic-sized. Free. Summer only. Get there before 11 or forget it.
776 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222 · Summer only: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Indoor pool AND an indoor hockey rink in Queens. $150/year. Free under 24.
131-04 Meridian Road, Flushing, NY 11368 · Mon-Fri 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Sun 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Indoor basketball, outdoor pool with kiddie pool, cardio room. Free under 24.
155 Bay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 · Mon-Fri 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM - 10:45 PM, Sun Closed
14 courts in Central Park. Community play just $5/hr with free paddle.
830 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10065 · Daily 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM (seasonal, Apr-Oct)
$5 Mondays. $10 skate rental. A fraction of Rockefeller Center prices.
171 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225 · Seasonal (Nov-Mar), hours vary by day
Free Thursday nights in summer. Walk, run, or jog a pro 400m track.
10 Central Road, Randall's Island, NY 10035 · Park open 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM; track by permit/event
4 dedicated courts on the Hudson. Permanent nets. Free with your own paddle.
353 West St, New York, NY 10014 · Daily dawn to dusk
Free yoga Tue/Thu mornings, free tai chi Wed. On the Bryant Park lawn. Just show up.
Bryant Park, 42nd St & 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018 · Yoga: Tue/Thu 10am (May-Sep), Tai Chi: Wed 7:30am
$150/year. Indoor pool, pickleball, basketball, water aerobics. Free under 24.
232 W 60th St, New York, NY 10023 · Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Free outdoor courts in the heart of the East Village. Pickup runs every evening.
E 7th St & Ave A, New York, NY 10009 · Daily 6:00 AM - midnight
6.1-mile car-free loop. Free. The most famous urban running route in the world.
Central Park, New York, NY 10024 · Open 24 hours
Free sand volleyball on the Hudson. Bring your own ball. Summer pickup runs.
Riverside Park at W 100th St, New York, NY 10025 · Daily dawn to dusk (seasonal)
Indoor and outdoor pools in the Village. $150/year. Free under 24. Boxing classes.
1 Clarkson St, New York, NY 10014 · Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 8:30 PM, Sat 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Central Park rink. $16 off-peak, $28 peak, $40 prime. Kids always $12. Open late October through March.
830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065 · Mon-Tue 10am-2:30pm, Wed-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm
Free admission with your own skates. Skate rental $18-65 depending on demand. The only free-admission rink in NYC. Reserve online a week ahead.
42nd St & 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018 · Daily, sessions vary -- reserve at bryantpark.org
$15 weekdays, $17 weekends. Skate rental $5-7. Lower Manhattan's rink. Quieter than Midtown options and half the price.
230 Vesey St, New York, NY 10281 · Mon-Fri 4-8:45pm, Sat-Sun/Holidays 9am-9:15pm (60-min sessions)
$14-35 admission. NYC's only rooftop ice rink. Brooklyn Bridge views. Kids 5 and under free.
89 South St, New York, NY 10038 · Daily, sessions vary -- check theseaport.nyc
Best-sounding room in New York. 575 capacity. No bad sightline in the building.
6 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002 · Doors typically 7–8pm on show nights
Chappelle, Schumer, Louis CK drop in regularly. $10 weeknights. Get there by 7.
117 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012 · Daily 11am–3am; shows at 6:45pm, 8:45pm, 10:45pm, 12:30am
Comedy Central tapings happen here. Nicer seats than any Village club. Two-drink min.
208 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011 · Wed–Thu 7pm–10pm, Fri–Sat 6pm–11:30pm
$5-$12. No drink minimum. Amy Poehler's theater. 25+ shows a week.
242 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003 · Shows Tue–Sat, typically 7pm & 10pm
Free for NY residents Friday evenings. Show your ID. Reserve online first.
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 · Daily 10:30am–5:30pm, Fri until 8:30pm
Pay what you wish for NYS residents. Yes, $0.01 works. Rooftop bar has Central Park views.
1000 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10028 · Sun–Tue & Thu 10am–5pm, Fri–Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Wed.
Free Shakespeare in Central Park. Tickets at noon. Line starts by 6am.
Delacorte Theater, Central Park, New York, NY 10024 · Performances typically 8pm; ticket distribution at noon. Late May–early Sep.
60+ free concerts every summer. Just show up. Mavis Staples, Spoon, De La Soul in 2026.
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, New York, NY 10021 · Jun–Aug; show times vary, typically 7pm. Gates open 1hr prior.
Free movies every Monday. Lawn opens at 5pm. Bring a blanket and food.
Bryant Park, 42nd St & 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018 · Mondays mid-Jul through mid-Sep; lawn opens 5pm, film at sunset
Hidden behind a phone booth in a hot dog shop. Resy opens 7 days out. Book fast.
113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009 · Daily 5pm–2am
Burger, cocktail, and a movie -- all from your seat. Menus change with each film.
136 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
No cover Sun-Thu. Empire State Building right in your face. Winter igloos.
230 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10001 · Mon–Thu 12pm–2am, Fri 12pm–4am, Sat–Sun 11am–4am
$5 shows available. On MacDougal St comedy row. No drink minimum on some shows.
99 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012 · Shows nightly, first show typically 7pm
Free summer concerts, movies, dance, yoga along the Hudson River. Just show up.
Riverside Park, various locations, Manhattan · Jun-Sep, event times vary
Magic shop since 1929. Free demos. The staff will blow your mind in 30 seconds.
45 W 34th St, Suite 608, New York, NY 10001 · Mon-Sat 11am-6pm
Stand-up comedy combined with mini-golf. $15 shows. Chelsea waterfront.
210 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001 · Show times vary, check schedule
Same-day dry cleaning with free pickup and delivery across Manhattan. Drop off by 10am for same-day return on weekdays. Same-day service is complimentary most days, with a $2.99 surcharge only when operating at capacity. Also offers wash-and-fold, alterations, and specialty garment care.
231 E 84th St, New York, NY 10028 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm
Wash-and-fold laundry service with free pickup and delivery seven days a week across Manhattan below 135th Street. Dry cleaning from $4.50 per item, wash-and-fold at $1.90 per pound. Online ordering available. Eco-friendly cleaning products used on all loads.
555 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018 · Daily 7am-10pm
A popular Brooklyn wash-and-fold service with competitive pricing starting at $1.55 per pound. Self-service machines also available. Offers pickup and delivery within Brooklyn. Clean, well-maintained facility with large-capacity machines for comforters and bulk loads.
871 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 · Daily 6am-11pm
A family-owned cobbler operating since 1932, now with locations at 60 East 59th Street, 50 Hudson Yards (concourse level), and 1000 Third Avenue (5th floor in Bloomingdale's). Handles everything from heel replacements and sole repairs to designer handbag restoration and leather reconditioning. Trusted by New Yorkers for nearly a century.
60 E 59th St, New York, NY 10022 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Downtown cobbler in the Financial District. Shoe shines $3, rubber soles $30, heel repairs and resoling. Most basic repairs done same day.
63 Wall St, New York, NY 10005 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm
A professional tailoring and alterations shop near Grand Central with multiple Manhattan locations. Basic pants hemming from $18, jacket alterations from $53. Handles suits, dresses, wedding gowns, and casual wear. Online booking available. Other locations at Union Square, Upper East Side, and Upper West Side.
130 E 40th St, Suite 802, New York, NY 10016 · Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Greenwich Village hardware store with key cutting, locksmith services, tools, and household supplies. Staff actually know what they're talking about. Key cutting while you wait.
51 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-7pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm
A Williamsburg neighborhood hardware store with on-site key cutting, a solid paint mixing station, and knowledgeable staff. Stocks tools, plumbing supplies, electrical basics, and household repair essentials. The kind of independent hardware store that anchors a Brooklyn neighborhood.
210 Roebling St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm
Midtown dry cleaner and alteration shop, highly rated. Same-day on items dropped before 10am. Shirts from $4, suits from $12. Hemming from $15.
216 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017 · Mon-Fri 7:30am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm
UES tailor with a loyal following. Suits, dresses, casual wear, military uniforms. Pants hemming from $15, suit jacket from $40. Walk-ins for basic work, appointments for custom fitting.
1404 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128 · Mon-Sat 8am-7pm
Laundromat and cafe in Williamsburg. Eco-friendly machines, non-toxic detergent, good coffee. Self-service from $4/load, wash-and-fold from $2.25/lb. You actually want to sit and wait here.
115 N 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 · Daily 7am-10pm
UES dry cleaner. Shirts from $3.50, suits from $11. Same-day on items dropped before 10am. Free pickup and delivery within 10 blocks.
1688 1st Ave, New York, NY 10028 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm
Dry cleaner and tailor in the East Village. Pants hemming from $12, suit alterations from $35, dry cleaning from $5/garment. Walk-ins welcome. Does both cleaning and tailoring well.
302 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003 · Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Cobbler on 14th Street. Heel replacement from $15, half-soles from $30, full resoling from $50. Also zippers, belts, handbag straps. Same-day on basic jobs.
137 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011 · Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Tailor on Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint. Alterations, custom fitting, repairs. Pants hemming from $12, jacket sleeves from $25. Walk-ins welcome.
704 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
An East Village cobbler with a devoted following for precise, old-world shoe repair. Handles resoling, heel replacement, leather conditioning, stretching, and dyeing. Shoe shines from $5, heel caps from $12, full resoling from $45. Quick turnaround on basic repairs. The real deal.
48 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003 · Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm
UES dry cleaning and garment restoration for high-end and vintage clothing, bridal gowns, leather, suede, couture. Museums and fashion houses use them. Stain removal from $15, cleaning from $25. Not cheap, but this is where you send the irreplaceable stuff.
39 E 65th St, New York, NY 10065 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm